IC Date: January 27, 2397
Time: 13:00:27
Star Trek Stardate: 74072.71
Location: Sol, Earth, North America, Oregon, Rogue River Valley, Rogue River Valley Care Community
Oliver sat waiting in Doctor Pearson's office, she was out making her rounds and his call was sudden and unplanned but they were good about accommodating random visitors. In recent years it had become more common, the facility had taken in their fair share of people who needed to be cared for after the last several conflicts not to mention just the general aging of people. While most people could be cared for well at home, this was a place for people who had to have constant care.
A young woman entered and crossed the room toward him holding out a hand. He stood and shook it. "Hello Oliver, it's very nice to meet you finally."
"Glad you've got the option." He said with a smile, and settled back down into the chair as she moved to sit.
She smiled and activated her computer as she settled into her chair. "Your sister mentioned you might be coming by, she hoped I would be able to explain things so that you might understand why seeing your mother and Rachael might be bad for them." She shifted in her chair as she brought up something on her computer.
"I think I do understand, It's more that I disagree with the reasoning. My sister told me shortly after we came back that our loss is what triggered my mothers fall, she lost so much that she just couldn't take it anymore. It broke her." He said.
Doctor Pearson nodded, "That is essentially an accurate assessment. I started seeing your mother shortly after your family lost your father. She was already troubled, things were very uncertain and with two of your sisters in the fleet it was just as bad. Not knowing if they were going to come back. She was having a terrible time with it. They had just lost you not but a year before. Then Rachael was nearly killed, it was just too much for your mother to handle."
Oliver shifted uneasy in his chair. "It does not help that I was sitting out there frozen in time and space, no one was here to help her through it."
"Your sisters tried their best, but in the end things just got too much for them."
"Which is probably when they cleared out and sold our family estate." He said, nodding.
The doctor nodded knowingly. "Sad to be certain, but I understand you purchased it back from the relator company?"
"I did."
"Was it good to be back home? I assume you are staying there now?"
He nodded. "Yes, it was nice to be back home."
"But?"
"But it was empty, a home that used to be teeming with life, so many memories. It just feels empty now." He said.
"Well now you have the opportunity to fill it again, make new memories." Doctor Pearson said.
"I Don't know. Part of me feels like buying it back was a mistake. I'm only here for a short time. I've no family to fill it with of my own. I'm not sure what I was thinking when I bought it. Other than I knew the money would go to my sister who's been paying for my mother and sister's care."
"If anything that should mean something."
"Do you honestly think my seeing my mother and sister would be detrimental?" He asked with all seriousness.
She slowly shook her head. "I'm not sure, the mind is a fascinating thing. It could help or it could make things far worse." She said. "The choice is ultimately up to you."
"I want to see them!" He said without hesitation. "They deserve to know that I'm not dead. If I was them, I wouldn't believe it without seeing it. People just don't come back from the dead everyday."
"Okay," Doctor Pearson said, and stood. "I thought as much." She gestured to the door. "Which one would you like to visit first?" She asked.
"My mother!" He said again without hesitation.
He followed as she lead the way out of the room, and down the hall. "I will get one of the nurses to standby just in case." She said as they moved down the hall, and entered a lift. "Level Eight!" She said. The lift rose in silence as they ascended quickly. "You certain you want to do this?" She asked glancing over at him.
He was looking at the floor for a moment trying to decide, though doubts were there he knew he needed to do this. "Yes, I'm certain!"
The lift doors parted to an open-air courtyard, for a moment Oliver thought he might be outside but it was an atrium full of plant life. He glanced around at the plant life as they exited; it was like walking into neighborhood.
“We try to give our residence a comfortable community environment to live in, it helps with the transition.” Doctor Pearson said.
He simply nodded following her as they threaded their way past homes. “Nice place!”
“I’d like to think so.” She said offering a smile as she turned and stopped. “Here we are.” She turned and pressed a key at the side of the door. “Ms. Savage, it’s Doctor Pearson.” She waited.
“Come in!” a familiar voice called.
The door parted, and he followed the doctor in he was greeted by the familiar smell of Chamomile tea, and mint. A smile slowly spread on his lips, the sound of a broken glass brought his attention around. His mother had aged, almost to the point he did not recognize her. Over twenty years had passed, and through all the trials they had been through the one thing that remained, the same was her eyes.
“My god, your finally home.” She said rushing forward. She hugged him tightly; he could remember her smell as if it was yesterday. She always wore the same perfume. He could feel her sobbing. “My boy,” she said pulling away cupping his face in her hands. “Where have you been.” She said.
“It’s a long story.” He said then hugged her again for a long moment.
The doctor moved to the door. “I will leave you two to catch up, if you need me for any reason, just hit the call button.” She said pointing to the blue button next to the door. She smiled and exited.
“Um, would you like something to drink.” His mother asked pulling away. She retreated to the kitchen swiftly picking up a towel. He was certain she was wiping the tears from her eyes.
“No, I’m fine but thank you.”
“I’m going to…” she said, he could hear her opening cabinets.
He glanced around and noticed that the glass that had fallen was now gone, which caused an eyebrow to rise. “Take your time mom.” He said.
She came walking back out of with another glass of water. “How.” She said slowly lowering herself down onto the couch.
He slowly sat reaching out to hold her hand. “We were on an exploration mission, we ran into a planet with a strange anomaly. Something happened and we were… well there is still speculation as to what happened but according to Starfleet Medical and our own Medical teams we were held in stasis.”
“For over twenty years?” she asked.
He nodded. “Yes.”
“Why didn’t you come sooner!” she said, there was a sharp tone to her voice.
“It’s complicated.” He said.
“No it’s your sister!” she said sharply.
He nodded. “Partially yes. Partially duty.”
She took a drink and leaned back against the couch. “Have you been to see your sister Racheal yet?” she asked. “She’s delicate.”
He nodded. “So I’ve been told.”
“Try not to stare at her injury; she’s very conscious about it.”
He nodded again. “You seem well despite what I’ve been told.” He said.
She nodded this time. “I’m having a good day. Not all are like this.”
“Is it really that bad?” She did not answer she just stared at him. He let it hang for a moment to see if she was going to respond. He honestly did not expect her to answer. “Are you comfortable?”
She nodded. “Yes, it’s very nice here. I didn’t like it at first, but it’s grown on me.”
“Good I’m glad.” He said.
“Have you caught up with any of your old friends, what about that lady friend of yours?” she asked.
He nodded. “I did talk to Harold Creed, he’s one of the few of my Academy friends that survived to retire from Starfleet. I got the chance to talk to Lori but not Gabby. Apparently she’s all grown up and off on her own Starfleet Career now.”
“Why haven’t you spoken to Gabby?” his mother gave him a look of curiosity. “I know Lori moved on, took her a long time. She and Gabby used to come visit me for the longest time. Gabby used to think you would walk through the door any minute. When Lori finally decided it was time to move on even Gabby continued to come visit from time to time, and even once in a while when she was at the Academy.”
He opened his mouth to say something then stopped not sure what to say, he was at a loss for words.
“You didn’t know?” she asked him.
He shook his head. “No. Lori never said anything about it.”
“You should talk to Gabby soon!”
He nodded. “I will do that as soon as I have some time.” He let out a deep sigh. “I’m still catching up on everything so it’s been troublesome to figure out what to do first.”
“Did you retire from the Fleet?” She asked gesturing to his civilian cloths.
He shook his head. “No,” he frowned. “What would make you think I would have retired?”
“After being gone this long, Starfleet took you away from us, I just thought you would be done with them now!” she said, her voice seemed to convey hope.
He shook his head. “No, I don’t blame Starfleet. I chose this life, and it comes with risk.”
“Don’t tell me about risk!” she said suddenly, her angry flared. “Starfleet’s taken almost my whole family!”
He frowned. “I know.”
“No you don’t!” she said sharply.
“I understand that you feel that way, but this is the life I chose. I’m not done yet, and now of all times with things the way they are I cannot leave.” He said.
“Of course you can. Come home Ollie!” she said.
He shook his head. “It’s not time yet!”
“When, when will it be time!” she asked.
“I don’t know yet.”
She frowned. “Please Ollie, I cannot think about losing you once again.”
“You’re not going to!” he said.
He shook his head standing. “You cannot know that!” she said forcefully.
He looked down at the carpeted floor for a long moment. “I know it seems that way but I do know.” He offered her a lighthearted smile. “This is what I was meant to do. If death was coming for me, we both know that it will find me. But my destiny is not yet come due.”
She regarded him for a long moment. “Will you visit?”
He nodded. “As often as I can.”
“You should visit your sister.” She said squeezing his hand. “Just...” she stopped then stood and hugged him tightly. “Stay in touch, come visit me before you leave would you?”
“I will. Love you mother.”
And I you.” She said patting him on the chest. She blinked looking at where her hand was. “You’re wearing it again?” she slowly reached up and fished out the necklace that was hidden away under his shirt, she smiled eyeing the cross. “We thought you gave up on this.”
“Let’s just say recent events have made me rethink a lot of things.” He said, and then hugged her again. “Love you!” he said. She walked with him toward the door. “See you again soon!”
He nodded, and stepped out allowing the door to shut behind him. He turned and spotted Doctor Pearson sitting on a nearby bench. She looked up and stood, walking over to him.
“That went way better than I expected.” She said.
He nodded. “Indeed. Can I see my sister?”
She nodded, and pointed to the next-door down. “Right next door.” She held up a hand halting him. “You should be prepared for what you’re going to see.”
His eyebrow rose, “What do you mean?”
“She was badly injured, and not all of her injuries could be healed. Partially because of the length of time it took rescue crews to get to her.”
He nodded and walked towards the door, it slid aside at his approach, which caught him off guard. Inside he could see a large open space, and at the center was a biobed around which was a lot of medical equipment and a couple of nurses. He hesitated, but started into the room as one of the nurses turned to see who was standing at the door. “Is now a bad time?” he asked as he stepped in.
“Your fine, please come in!” she said.
He entered and paused at the door for a moment before starting towards the biobed. He clearly was not prepared from what he saw; unlike his mother, she had not changed much it was still his little sister. Despite her injuries, she looked serine. Resting comfortably. “How’s she doing?”
“She’s having a rough morning but all in all well.” The woman said, running a medical probe over her. “She’s been sleeping for a while now she will probably wake soon.”
“What’s the extent of her injuries?” he asked, though he did not have to he recognized plasma burns and vacuum exposure when he saw it. He saw many of those types of injuries back at Lyshan, and throughout his time in Starfleet.
She gave him a quizzical look, “She sustain plasma burns to about thirty seven percent of her body, and was in a space that explosively decompressed.” The nurse paused for a moment checking the readings on one of her devices. “She’s a fighter, she held on until the space decompressed and was able to claw her way out of the area and back into atmosphere. She saved many of her shipmates.”
He stared at his sister for a long moment. “She always wanted to be a hero. Kept making me help her tie a cape on when she was younger. We cut mask out of one of mom’s sheet’s once. She was hopping mad.” The Nurse smiled.
“No one tells that story but my brother. And my brother is dead!” the voice was raspy but it was clearly his sisters voice.
He moved closer to the bed, her one good eye that was not covered fluttered open. “I came back to life.”
“Ollie?” she asked.
“Yeah Rach, it’s me.” He said and took her hand. He could hear her heartrate spike; despite her injuries, she was strong. She pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. She began to cry, sobbing heavily and holding him even tighter. They stayed that way for a long time. He could smell the scent of antiseptics, and medicines on her. He was not sure how much time had passed when she finally started to let him go. He stood there regarding her for a moment, she was looking away.
“When did you get back?” she asked.
“A few months ago.”
“You’re just now coming to see us?” she asked looking back at him. She wiped away the tears with her blanket.
He nodded. “I’m sorry.”
“I know you had your reasons.” She said softly, she seemed to be suddenly drained of energy. “I’m glad you came!”
“I’m glad you’re still here. I was told you nearly did not survive. What did I tell you about being a hero!”
“Not to be!” she said.
He smiled. “I’m proud of you sis.” He said squeezing her hand.
“Ollie…” she said, her voice was weak.
“What is it Rachael?” he asked, concern flooding his voice.
The Nurse looked up from her station and rushed over just as she began convulsing, she shook hard and he was trying to help hold her steady when the nurse pushed him away. “Back away.” She said sharply.
He stood back and could only watch as she shook, and began to foam at the mouth. Her entire body tense. It looked to be getting worse and worse when she finally stopped and her body went limp. The nurse checked her vitals and administered a hypo, then checked her vitals again.
“Is she alright?” he asked concerned.
The Nurse nodded. “Yes, she has these episodes from time to time. She will sleep for several hours now.”
Oliver could feel his chest tighten, he could feel that welling desire to break down and cry but he took in a sharp breath. “Okay.” He said. “Thank you!” He turned and started for the door.
“You should come back and visit. That’s the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time.” The nurse said.
“I will try and get back when I can.”
He exited the room and walked out into the courtyard, and started heading for the lift. He could hear the footsteps of the good doctor Pearson falling into step with him. “Are you alright Oliver?”
He shook his head. “No, but I will be. Thank you for the visit doctor.” He said stepping into the lift. She stopped taking the hint and letting the doors close to leave him alone in the lift. “Ground level!” he said.